JP2022115736A - Treatment apparatus and treatment method, and sulfur-containing substance generator - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a treatment apparatus and a treatment method which enable power generation and desulfurization treatment in anaerobic treatment of treated materials, as well as to improve the electrode reaction efficiency and utilize sulfur components generated by the electrode reaction.SOLUTION: There are provide a treatment apparatus and a treatment method, and a sulfur-containing substance generator connected to the treatment apparatus, the treatment apparatus comprising a reaction part for removing sulfur components in power generation and/or treated water by bringing electrodes into contact with treated water after the treated material has been treated anaerobically, and sulfur removal means for removing sulfur components deposited on the surface of electrodes in the reaction part. According to the present invention, the reaction part using electrodes enables efficient power generation and desulfurization treatment in a series of treatment processes. Furthermore, the means to remove the sulfur generated on the electrode surface prevents the electrode reaction efficiency from decreasing and enables the efficiency of the power generation and desulfurization process to be improved. In addition, the removed sulfur can be utilized as a beneficial sulfur-containing material.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a treatment apparatus and a treatment method for anaerobic treatment of an object to be treated. The present invention also relates to a sulfur-containing substance producing apparatus for producing a sulfur-containing substance with anaerobic treatment of an object to be treated.

Various processing methods are known for processing an object to be processed. Such treatment is based on the characteristics of the physical properties of the object itself, such as the components contained in the object, the amount of treated water discharged, and the balance between treatment efficiency and cost. The treatment method is selected in consideration of the characteristics of the facility and operation for carrying out the treatment.
Further, in processing, efficiency of processing is improved by combining a plurality of different processing methods.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a treatment of water to be treated containing organic matter, in which a pair of electrodes are immersed in the water to be treated, electrochemical treatment is performed, and then the water to be treated is biologically treated. .

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-330182

As described in Patent Document 1, in a treatment that combines electrochemical treatment and biological treatment, it is possible to promote a reaction with good reaction efficiency for each treatment and improve the treatment efficiency as a whole treatment. becomes. On the other hand, in general, electrochemical processing has a problem that the burden of running costs related to power consumption is large. It is said that the treatment described in Patent Document 1 can reduce the running cost more than the electrochemical treatment alone. However, in the treatment described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to supply energy for electrochemical treatment and biological treatment from outside the treatment system. Therefore, there is a demand for further energy saving during processing.

In recent years, technologies capable of recovering and utilizing energy in the process of treatment have been studied in order to reduce the power required to drive equipment during treatment and achieve excellent energy savings.
As one of such technologies, energy is recovered using biogas generated by biological treatment. Ancillary equipment is required, such as equipment for converting to electrical energy via an engine or gas turbine. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique for recovering and utilizing energy more simply and efficiently in processing.

As a technique for simply and efficiently recovering energy in the treatment, it is conceivable to provide electrodes on the treatment process and directly recover electrical energy through electrode reactions. At this time, by using a reducing substance contained in the aqueous solution (to-be-treated water or treated water) in the treatment process as an electron donor to be subjected to the electrode reaction, at the same time as energy recovery by the electrode reaction, the to-be-treated water or treated water It is possible to perform electrochemical treatment for , and it is expected to improve the efficiency of treatment and realize energy saving. The present inventors have already found that the use of hydrogen sulfide generated during anaerobic treatment as an electron donor also enables desulfurization of treated water.

On the other hand, in the course of repeated studies, the present inventors have found that when an electrode is provided on the anaerobic treatment process and an electrode reaction is performed, the electrode reaction efficiency is reduced due to the deposition of sulfur components on the electrode surface. It was found that there is a problem that post-treatment of the sulfur component deposited on the surface is required.

The object of the present invention is to enable recovery and utilization of energy by electrode reaction and desulfurization treatment of treated water in anaerobic treatment of objects to be treated, as well as to improve electrode reaction efficiency and utilize sulfur components generated by electrode reaction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus, a processing method, and a sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus that make it possible.

As a result of intensive studies on the above-mentioned problems, the inventors of the present invention have found that by performing an electrode reaction using a reducing substance contained in the treated water after anaerobic treatment of the object to be treated as an electron donor, efficient energy recovery and It has been found that it is possible to desulfurize the treated water, and that it is possible to suppress the decrease in the efficiency of the electrode reaction in the electrode reaction by providing means for removing sulfur deposited on the electrode surface due to the electrode reaction. rice field. Furthermore, the inventors have found that by recovering and refining the sulfur components removed by the sulfur removing means, it is possible to utilize them as beneficial sulfur-containing substances. This completes the present invention.
That is, the present invention is the following treatment apparatus, treatment method, and sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus.
In the present invention, "removal of sulfur components" includes a plurality of processes with different targets for removing sulfur components and different processing contents. Therefore, hereinafter, the removal of sulfur components in the treated water is referred to as "desulfurization treatment (of treated water)", and the removal of sulfur components deposited on the electrode surface is referred to as "sulfur removal (on the electrode surface)". A distinction is made between the steps involved in the removal of sulfur components.

A processing apparatus of the present invention for solving the above problems is a processing apparatus that performs anaerobic treatment of an object to be treated, wherein the treated water after the anaerobic treatment of the object to be treated is brought into contact with an electrode to generate power and/or It is characterized by comprising a reaction section for removing sulfur components in the treated water and a sulfur removing means for removing sulfur components deposited on the electrode surface of the reaction section.
The processing apparatus of the present invention can generate power during a series of processing steps by installing a reaction section using electrodes in the processing apparatus. As a result, it is possible to efficiently generate power and recover and use energy without increasing the size of the facility. In addition, efficient desulfurization treatment can be performed without separately providing equipment for desulfurization treatment of treated water. Furthermore, by providing a means for removing sulfur generated on the electrode surface by the electrode reaction, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the efficiency of the electrode reaction and improve the efficiency of power generation and desulfurization treatment.

Further, one embodiment of the treatment apparatus of the present invention is characterized in that the sulfur removing means uses sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
According to this feature, it is possible to remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface with a relatively simple structure and operation.

Further, as one embodiment of the treatment apparatus of the present invention, the sulfur removal means has a feature of including a flow path switching section for switching the flow path of the treated water to the reaction section.
According to this feature, the anode and cathode in the reaction section can be switched by changing the flow path of the treated water. At this time, since the type of reaction that occurs on the electrode surface changes, the reaction that removes the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface can proceed. This makes it possible to remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface without removing the electrode.

Further, as one embodiment of the processing apparatus of the present invention, the channel switching section has a feature of including a control section for controlling supply/stop of the treated water to the reaction section.
According to this feature, it becomes possible to perform the control of the flow path switching unit related to sulfur removal with higher accuracy and at suitable timing. In addition, according to the time fluctuation of the treated water, the treatment system as a whole can be operated efficiently by dividing the time period during which power generation and desulfurization treatment is mainly performed and the time period during which the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface is mainly removed. It is possible to do

Further, one embodiment of the processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by providing an electrode replacement means for replacing the electrode arrangement of the reaction section.
According to this feature, the anode and the cathode in the reaction section can be replaced by a simple operation, and the electrode on which the sulfur component is deposited on the surface can be easily transferred to the reaction on the cathode side as the electrode reaction on the anode side proceeds. It becomes possible to provide This makes it possible to remove sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode and to perform the treatment in the reaction section continuously.

Further, as a processing method of the present invention for solving the above problems, there is a processing method for performing anaerobic treatment on the object to be treated, wherein the treated water after the object to be treated is anaerobicly treated is brought into contact with the electrode to generate power. and/or a reaction step of performing an electrode reaction to remove sulfur components in the treated water, and a sulfur removal step of removing sulfur components deposited on the surface of the electrode used in the reaction step.
In the treatment method of the present invention, by providing an electrode reaction step using electrodes in water treatment, it is possible to generate power in a series of treatment processes in water treatment. As a result, it is possible to efficiently generate power and recover and use energy without increasing the size of the facility. Moreover, it is possible to perform efficient desulfurization treatment without separately providing equipment for desulfurization treatment. Furthermore, by providing a means for removing sulfur generated on the electrode surface by the electrode reaction, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the efficiency of the electrode reaction and improve the efficiency of power generation and desulfurization treatment.

Further, a sulfur-containing substance generating device of the present invention for solving the above problems is a sulfur-containing substance generating device connected to a processing device that performs anaerobic treatment of an object to be processed, wherein the processing device comprises an object to be processed A reaction unit for removing sulfur components in the generated and/or treated water by contacting the electrode with the treated water after anaerobic treatment, and a sulfur removal means for removing the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface of the reaction unit. and a sulfur component recovery means for recovering the sulfur component removed by the sulfur removal means, and a refining means for refining the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur component recovery means as a sulfur-containing substance.
The sulfur-containing substance generating apparatus of the present invention is a processing apparatus comprising a reaction unit that performs anaerobic treatment of a material to be treated, generates electricity by electrode reaction and performs desulfurization treatment, and a means for removing sulfur components deposited on the electrode surface. By recovering and purifying the sulfur component from this processing equipment, it is possible to post-process the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface and obtain a useful sulfur-containing substance that can be used inside and outside the processing equipment. .

According to the present invention, in the anaerobic treatment of the object to be treated, it is possible to recover and use energy by electrode reaction and desulfurize the treated water, improve the electrode reaction efficiency, and utilize the sulfur component generated by the electrode reaction. It is possible to provide a processing apparatus, a processing method, and a sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus that make it possible.

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing another aspect of the sulfur removal means in the treatment apparatus of the first embodiment of the present invention; BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a treatment device and a sulfur-containing substance generation device of a first embodiment of the present invention; It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the processing apparatus in the 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the processing apparatus in the 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the processing apparatus in the 4th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the processing apparatus in the 5th embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing of the processing apparatus in the 6th embodiment of this invention.

EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Hereafter, embodiment of the processing apparatus, processing method, and sulfur-containing substance production|generation apparatus based on this invention is described in detail, referring drawings. The processing method in the present invention shall be replaced with the description of the operation of the processing apparatus in the present invention.
It should be noted that the treatment apparatus, treatment method, and sulfur-containing material generation apparatus described in the embodiments are merely examples for explaining the treatment apparatus, treatment method, and sulfur-containing material generation apparatus according to the present invention, and are limited to this. not to be

In the treatment apparatus of the present invention, the object to be treated is not particularly limited as long as the treated water after anaerobic treatment contains a reducing substance that reacts with the electrode, and may be either solid or liquid. good too. The reducing substance may be contained in the material to be treated before it is introduced into the treatment apparatus, or may be produced during the course of treatment in the treatment apparatus and present in the treated water. good.
Examples of specific objects to be treated include industrial wastewater discharged from various factories such as food factories, chemical factories, and paper pulp factories, and wastewater such as domestic wastewater such as sewage. . Other examples of materials to be treated include raw garbage and food waste discharged from homes and various factories, biomass such as wood, and domestic wastewater such as industrial wastewater and sewage discharged from various factories. solid waste such as excess sludge after sludge. Here, when the object to be treated is solid, the treated water after anaerobic treatment refers to the filtrate from which the solid content has been removed.
In the following embodiments, wastewater in which reducing substances are present in the treated water after undergoing anaerobic treatment (hereinafter referred to as "treated water") will be mainly described as the object to be treated. is not limited to

Moreover, in the present invention, the reducing substance contained in the treated water is not particularly limited as long as it functions as an electron donor. Whether or not a substance functions as an electron donor is relatively determined by the combination with a substance that functions as an electron acceptor (hereinafter simply referred to as "electron acceptor"). That is, the reducing substance in the present invention may be one that releases electrons more easily than the electron acceptor, that is, one that has a lower oxidation-reduction potential than the electron acceptor. For example, when oxygen is used as the electron acceptor, the reducing substance in the present invention may have a lower oxidation-reduction potential than oxygen. Such reducing substances include hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, ammonia, and the like. are mentioned.

[First embodiment]
[Processing device]
FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing the structure of a processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
A treatment apparatus 1A in this embodiment comprises a treatment tank 2, a reaction section 3, and a sulfur removing means 4, as shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the object to be treated to be treated is wastewater (hereinafter referred to as "treated water W") in which reducing substances are present in the treated water through anaerobic treatment. explain.
Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the treatment apparatus 1A in this embodiment connects the treatment tank 2 and the reaction section 3 with an introduction pipe L1 for introducing the water W to be treated into the treatment tank 2, A connection pipe L2 for supplying the treated water W1 after the treated water W to the reaction part 3 and a discharge pipe L3 for discharging the treated water W2 after the electrode reaction from the reaction part 3 are provided.

(Treatment tank)
The treatment tank 2 is a tank for performing an anaerobic treatment on the water W to be treated.
The treatment performed in the treatment tank 2 is suitable for the treatment target contained in the water W to be treated, and is not particularly limited as long as the treated water W1 after treatment contains reducing substances. For example, biological treatment in an anaerobic environment (anaerobic treatment) includes methane fermentation by acidogenic bacteria and methanogenic bacteria, denitrification by reducing nitric acid and nitrite by denitrifying bacteria, and sulfuric acid by sulfate reducing bacteria. and a sulfuric acid reduction treatment for reducing the Furthermore, methane fermentation, which produces methane, is particularly preferred from the viewpoint of processing costs and usefulness of produced gas. In addition, the processing tank 2 may be a single tank, or may be composed of a plurality of tanks. For example, when the treatment performed in the treatment tank 2 is methane fermentation, a combination of a plurality of tanks such as an acid production tank and a methane fermentation tank may be used as the treatment tank 2 .

In the treatment tank 2, when methane fermentation is performed among anaerobic treatments, in addition to methane, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, ammonia, etc. are generated in the treated water W1 after treating the water W to be treated. These products correspond to reducing substances in the present invention.

The water to be treated W treated in the treatment tank 2 becomes treated water W1 containing reducing substances, and is introduced into the reaction section 3 via the connecting pipe L2.

(Reaction part)
The reaction unit 3 is for performing an electrode reaction using a reducing substance in the treated water W1 as an electron donor. Further, in the reaction section 3, power generation and desulfurization can be performed by this electrode reaction.
Hereinafter, the structure of the reaction section 3 of this embodiment will be described from the viewpoint of power generation. The details of the desulfurization treatment by the reaction section 3 of this embodiment will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction section 3 of this embodiment is provided after the processing tank 2, and is provided so as to partition the cells 31a and 31b from the first cell 31a and the second cell 31b. and electrodes 33a and 33b arranged in cells 31a and 31b, respectively. Here, the first cell 31a is formed so that the treated water W1 introduced from the treatment tank 2 through the connecting pipe L2 comes into contact with the electrode 33a. acts as an anode. On the other hand, the second cell 31b is formed to store or supply an electron acceptor, and the electrode 33b arranged in the second cell 31b functions as a cathode. Also, the electrodes 33a and 33b are connected to an external circuit by conducting wires (not shown). As a result, it is possible to recover and utilize electrical energy generated by the reducing substance acting as an electron donor in the reaction section 3 .

The first cell 31a is provided with an electrode 33a, and the material and shape are not particularly limited as long as it is formed so that the treated water W1 is in contact with the electrode 33a. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, there is a space that can temporarily store the treated water W1 introduced from the treated water inlet 32a through the connection pipe L2, and the treated water W2 after contact with the electrode 33a is stored. For example, a discharge pipe L3 for discharging from the treated water discharge port 32b may be provided. As a result, the reducing substances in the treated water W1 donate electrons to the electrode 33a as electron donors, and then are rapidly discharged through the discharge pipe L3.
A flow control mechanism such as a valve may be provided in the connection pipe L2 and/or the discharge pipe L3. This makes it possible to adjust the amount and flow rate of the treated water W1 brought into contact with the electrode 33a and control the mass transfer rate with respect to the electrode 33a.

The treated water W2 discharged through the discharge pipe L3 can be discharged as it is if it satisfies the water quality that allows discharge to a river or the like. A treatment facility for further treating the treated water W2 may be provided downstream of the discharge pipe L3, and after the treated water W2 is treated, it may be discharged to the outside of the system. Such a treatment facility is not particularly limited as long as it can treat the treated water W2 so that it can be discharged outside the system or into a river. Examples include an aeration tank and a pH adjustment tank.

Alternatively, the discharge pipe L3 may be connected to the treatment tank 2 so that the treated water W2 is returned to the treatment tank 2 without being discharged outside the system. As a result, the water W to be treated is repeatedly treated, and the treatment efficiency can be improved.
At this time, the treated water W2 after the reaction at the electrode 33a has an increased hydrogen ion concentration as shown in Equations 1 and 2, and becomes a solution with an acidic pH. Therefore, the treated water W2 can be used as a pH adjuster. In particular, when methane fermentation is performed as an anaerobic treatment, it is known that the pH in the acid-producing tank is preferably on the acidic side in order to favorably progress the reaction in the acid-producing tank. Therefore, the treated water W2 returned from the reaction section 3 to the treatment tank 2 (acid generation tank) through the discharge pipe L3 is suitable as a pH adjuster for the reaction in the acid generation tank to proceed under favorable conditions. used.
Further, a discharge pipe L3 may be connected so as to return the treated water W2 from the reaction section 3 to the methane fermentation tank as the treatment tank 2. At this time, the treated water W2 after the reaction at the electrode 33a becomes a solution in which the concentration of dissolved hydrogen sulfide is lowered as shown in the formulas (1) and (2). Hydrogen sulfide inhibits the metabolism of methane bacteria contained in the granule layer in the methane fermentation tank. Therefore, the treated water W2 returned from the reaction unit 3 to the treatment tank 2 (methane fermentation tank) can circulate in the methane fermentation tank without inhibiting the methane fermentation.

The second cell 31b is provided with an electrode 33b, and may be formed so as to store or supply an electron acceptor for reducing substances in the treated water W1, and its material and shape are not particularly limited.

Here, the form of the electron acceptor may be either gas or liquid. The liquid may be a solution in which a solid drug is dissolved, or a solution in which a gas is mixed (dissolved).

Specific examples of the electron acceptor in this embodiment include, for example, oxygen and oxygen-containing gases. The gas containing oxygen includes a gas containing oxygen as a mixture such as air and a gas containing oxygen as an element constituting a compound such as carbon dioxide. When a gas is used as an electron acceptor, there are advantages in that it is not necessary (or easy) to dispose of the material discharged after the reaction, and that the cost associated with acquisition can be reduced. In order to maximize these advantages, it is particularly preferable to use air as the electron acceptor.
Other examples of the electron acceptor in this embodiment include, for example, a solution containing dissolved oxygen, an aqueous solution of an oxidizing agent such as an aqueous solution of potassium ferricyanide, and the like. When a liquid is used as an electron acceptor, it becomes easy to handle a compound (oxidizing agent) that is highly effective as an electron acceptor, so there is an advantage that the electrode reaction efficiency can be further improved. From the viewpoint of improving the electrode reaction efficiency, it is particularly preferable to use an aqueous solution of potassium ferricyanide as the electron acceptor.

As the second cell 31b, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a space capable of storing liquid is provided in the second cell 31b, and electron For example, it is possible to supply the receptor solution and to discharge the solution after the reaction.
Another example of the second cell 31b is an electron acceptor for supplying a gaseous electron acceptor (oxygen, air, etc.) to the electrode 33b in the second cell 31b. For example, an electron acceptor outlet 34b for discharging the reacted gas and an electron acceptor outlet 34a may be provided.
As a result, electrons from the electrode 33a can be received by the electron acceptor via the electrode 33b, and current flows between the electrodes 33a and 33b to generate power. Further, the electron acceptor after the reaction is quickly discharged to the outside of the reaction section 3 through the electron acceptor discharge port 34b.
The electron acceptor supply port 34a and/or the electron acceptor outlet 34b may be provided with a flow control mechanism such as a valve to adjust the concentration of the electron acceptor in the second cell 31b. Furthermore, a control mechanism may be provided to control the flow rate adjustment mechanism so that the electron acceptor concentration corresponding to the amount of electrons generated by the reaction at the electrode 33a is maintained. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in reaction efficiency related to electron transfer between the electrodes 33a and 33b, and to suppress a decrease in electrode reaction efficiency.

Although one electron acceptor supply port 34a and one electron acceptor discharge port 34b are shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of electron acceptor supply ports 34a and electron acceptor discharge ports 34b may be provided. In particular, when a gas containing oxygen is used as the electron acceptor, water is produced by the reaction at the electrode 33b. Therefore, when a plurality of electron acceptor discharge ports 34b are provided, for example, one for discharging gas and one for discharging liquid are provided separately.

The ion exchanger 35 is not particularly limited as long as it has a known configuration that allows ions to pass therethrough. In particular, a cation exchange membrane capable of permeating hydrogen ions generated at the electrode 33a (anode side) may be used. As a result, the hydrogen ions move from the electrode 33a (anode side) to the electrode 33b (cathode side), so that the reaction efficiency of the electron acceptor at the electrode 33b can be increased, and the electrode reaction efficiency can be improved. . Further, it is more preferable that the ion exchanger 35 has low oxygen permeability. This suppresses the electron acceptor (especially oxygen) supplied to the electrode 33b (cathode side) from moving to the electrode 33a side, and suppresses the decrease in the reaction efficiency of the electron donor at the electrode 33a due to oxygen. becomes possible.
Although FIG. 1 shows that the ion exchanger 35 is provided separately from the electrodes 33a and 33b, it is not limited to this. For example, a material having an ion exchange capacity and the electrode 33a and/or the electrode 33b may be integrated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the reaction section 3 as a whole, and it is possible to shorten the time required for maintenance work.

The electrode 33a is an electrode that collects electrons from reducing substances in the treated water W1, and functions as a so-called anode. Further, the electrode 33a in this embodiment is arranged in the first cell 31a so as to come into contact with the treated water W1 after being treated in the treatment tank 2. As shown in FIG.

The electrode 33a is not particularly limited in material and shape as long as it functions as an anode. The material and shape of the electrode 33a can be appropriately selected in consideration of the cost of material procurement and processing, the reaction efficiency of the reducing substance in the electrode 33a, and the like. Examples of the material of the electrode 33a include carbon and metals (stainless steel, platinum, copper, etc.) that are widely used as electrode materials in the electrochemical field. Moreover, examples of the shape of the electrode 33a include a flat plate shape, a rod shape, and a mesh shape.
In particular, as the electrode 33a of this embodiment, it is preferable to use an electrode made of a porous body in view of the electrode reaction efficiency. For example, as the electrode 33a, in addition to using carbon fiber such as carbon paper or carbon cloth, which is a porous material, foam metal, porous metal, or metal mesh may be used.

The electrode 33b is a counter electrode to the electrode 33a, an electrode that transfers electrons to an electron acceptor, and functions as a so-called cathode. Also, the electrode 33b in this embodiment is arranged in the second cell 31b.

The electrode 33b is not particularly limited in material and shape as long as it functions as a cathode. The material and shape of the electrode 33b can be appropriately selected in consideration of the cost of material procurement and processing, the reaction efficiency of the electron acceptor in the electrode 33b, and the like. Examples of materials for the electrode 33b include carbon and metals (stainless steel, platinum, copper, etc.) that are widely used as electrode materials in the field of electrochemistry. Moreover, examples of the shape of the electrode 33b include a plate shape, a bar shape, a mesh shape, and the like.
In particular, as the electrode 33b of this embodiment, it is preferable to use an electrode made of a porous body in view of the electrode reaction efficiency. For example, as the electrode 33b, in addition to using carbon fiber such as carbon paper or carbon cloth, which is a porous body, foam metal, porous metal, or metal mesh may be used.

When the electron acceptor supplied into the second cell 31b is gas (air), one surface of the electrode 33b is in contact with the gas and the other surface is in contact with the treated water W1. Therefore, it is preferable that the electrode 33b has a form suitable for a so-called air cathode. Forms suitable for air cathodes include, for example, having both gas permeable and water impermeable properties. By making the electrode 33b gas-permeable, it is possible to effectively react the gas, which is an electron acceptor, at the electrode 33b. In addition, since the electrode 33b is water-impermeable, it is possible to prevent the treated water W1 in the first cell 31a from permeating the electrode 33b and flowing into the second cell 31b. Specific examples of such an electrode 33b include those made of carbon fiber, those coated with a material having gas permeability and water impermeability on the metal mesh surface, and those subjected to surface treatment such as film lamination. mentioned. The term “water-impermeable” as used herein refers to impermeability to water. It is included.

Hereinafter, based on FIG. 1, reactions and processes relating to electrode reactions in the treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
In the reaction and process related to the electrode reaction in the treatment apparatus 1A of this embodiment, a reducing substance generated by anaerobic treatment of the water W to be treated is used as an electron donor, and a solution containing oxygen and an oxidant is used as an electron acceptor. It is intended to explain what is used as.
It should be noted that the description of the reactions and steps based on FIG. 1 shows an example of the electrode reaction in this embodiment, and is not limited to this. In addition, the following description describes reactions and processes related to the processing tank 2 to the reaction section 3, and descriptions of reactions and processes related to other configurations (introduction pipe L1, discharge pipe L3, etc.) are omitted. ing. Furthermore, the notations of reactions R1 to R4 and steps S1 to S3 are numbered for the sake of explanation, and do not specify the reaction and the order of the steps.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water to be treated W introduced into the treatment tank 2 is anaerobically treated by anaerobic microorganisms (acidogenic bacteria and methanogenic bacteria) in the treatment tank 2 (step S1). At this time, reducing substances (hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc.) are produced in addition to methane.

The treated water W1 that has been treated in the treatment tank 2 and contains reducing substances is introduced into the first cell 31a in the reaction section 3 through the connection pipe L2 (step S2). Here, when a reducing substance (hydrogen, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, etc.) contacts the electrode 33a, the reducing substance functions as an electron donor to donate electrons to the electrode 33a. At this time, taking hydrogen sulfide as an example of the reducing substance that functions as an electron donor, the reaction (reaction R1) at the electrode 33a is represented by the following reaction formula (formula 1).

Also, part of the hydrogen sulfide reacts as hydrogen sulfide ions. The reaction at this time is represented by the following reaction formula (Formula 2).

As shown by formulas 1 and 2, in reaction R1, hydrogen sulfide contained in treated water W1 after being treated in treatment tank 2 donates electrons to electrode 33a, and hydrogen sulfide itself is oxidized. This makes it harmless and odorless. Therefore, the treatment apparatus 1A of this embodiment can perform desulfurization and deodorization as well as power generation. In addition to hydrogen sulfide, reducing substances (such as ammonia), which are harmful substances and odorous substances, similarly function as electron donors, and the progress of the reaction makes it possible to render them harmless and odorless.

Based on the reaction formulas shown in formulas 1 and 2, after the reaction at the electrode 33a proceeds, electrons move from the electrode 33a to the electrode 33b via the lead (reaction R2). At this time, the hydrogen ions generated by the reaction at the electrode 33a move to the second cell 31b side via the ion exchanger 35 (reaction R3).

On the other hand, an electron acceptor (solution) is introduced into the second cell 31b from the electron acceptor supply port 34a (step S3). Here, the electron acceptor receives the electron transferred from the electrode 33a to the electrode 33b through the electrode 33b by the reaction R2. At this time, the hydrogen ions that have moved to the second cell 31b through the ion exchanger 35 by the reaction R3 also react with the electron acceptor. The reaction (reaction R4) at the electrode 33b at this time is represented by the following reaction formula (formula 3). Note that oxygen in Formula 3 corresponds to an electron acceptor.

A current flows between the electrodes 33a and 33b based on the reactions R1 to R4 and steps S1 to S3 described above. As a result, the reaction proceeds with the reducing substance in the water W to be treated (the reducing substance contained in the treated water W1) as an electron donor, and power generation and desulfurization treatment are performed in the treatment apparatus 1A of this embodiment.
Also, the electrical energy obtained by power generation can be recovered and used through an external circuit connected to the electrodes 33a and 33b. Note that the use of electric energy is not particularly limited. For example, it may be used for driving equipment of the processing apparatus, or may be used outside the processing apparatus.

In the electrode reaction in the treatment apparatus of the present embodiment, as described above, hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S) and hydrogen sulfide ions (HS ⁻ ) react on the anode side by reaction R1, and based on formulas 1 and 2 An electrode reaction proceeds. By continuing the electrode reaction in the reaction section 3, sulfur (S), which is a product of the electrode reaction based on Formulas 1 and 2, accumulates on the surface of the anode (electrode 33a). As a result, contact between the electrode 33a and the reducing substance is inhibited, resulting in a problem of reduced electrode reaction efficiency. For this reason, the processing apparatus 1A in this embodiment is provided with means for removing the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface of the reaction section 3. As shown in FIG.

(Sulfur removal means)
The sulfur removing means 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface of the reaction section 3 . Examples of the sulfur removing means 4 include those that physically remove sulfur and those that chemically remove sulfur.
Here, in view of the removal efficiency and work cost for sulfur removal, the sulfur removal means 4 in this embodiment will mainly be described as one that chemically removes sulfur.

Specific examples of the sulfur removing means 4 in this embodiment will be described below. Note that the following description of the sulfur removing means 4 is an example of the sulfur removing means 4 in this embodiment, and is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 1, the sulfur removal means 4 includes a sulfur treatment tank 40 containing an aqueous solution containing sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Then, an electrode (electrode 33 a in FIG. 1 ) that functions as an anode in the reaction section 3 and has sulfur deposited on its surface is immersed in the sulfur treatment bath 40 .
Here, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria oxidize sulfur components in an aerobic environment, and in particular, the reaction when the sulfur component is sulfur (S) is represented by the following reaction formula (Formula 4). .

As shown in Formula 4, sulfur (S) is oxidized by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the presence of oxygen and water to produce sulfate ions (SO ₄ ²⁻ ).
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, by taking out the electrode 33a with sulfur deposited on the surface from the reaction section 3 and immersing it in the sulfur treatment bath 40, the sulfur on the surface of the electrode 33a is turned into sulfate ions by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. Removal can be done.
Then, the electrode 33a from which the sulfur deposited on the surface has been removed is taken out from the sulfur treatment tank 40 and returned to the reaction section 3, thereby suppressing a decrease in the electrode reaction efficiency in the reaction section 3.
At this time, the timing of taking out the electrode 33a from the sulfur treatment tank 40 is not particularly limited, and can be based on, for example, the treatment time or changes in the electrode surface. More specifically, the electrode 33a may be immersed in the sulfur treatment tank 40 for a certain period of time and then taken out, and the surface change of the electrode 33a immersed in the sulfur treatment tank 40 is observed and observed visually or with a measuring instrument. , it may be taken out after confirming the progress of the sulfur removal process.

The sulfur-oxidizing bacteria used in the sulfur treatment tank 40 in this embodiment are not particularly limited in terms of acquisition route or acquisition means. For example, as the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, a culture strain or a culture solution cultured in a place other than the treatment apparatus 1A may be used. It may be acclimated from sludge or granules generated by biological treatment of the object to be treated. As the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in this embodiment, it is preferable to use those acclimatized from sludge or granules generated in the treatment apparatus 1A. This makes it possible to reduce the cost of obtaining sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.

The sulfur treatment tank 40 in this embodiment is preferably provided with means for activating or maintaining/proliferating sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. For example, means for activating the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria include an aeration device that supplies air (oxygen) into the sulfur treatment tank 40, a temperature adjustment device that adjusts the temperature of the sulfur treatment tank 40, and other means for activating the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. For example, providing a supply mechanism for supplying a nutrient source. As a supply mechanism for supplying the nutrient source for the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, in addition to the addition of nutrient salts, the supply of waste water such as the water to be treated W may be used. In addition, as means for maintaining and growing the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, a carrier for supporting the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria may be provided in the sulfur treatment tank 40 .
It is preferable to provide the sulfur treatment tank 40 with any one of the means described above, and more preferably a combination of a plurality of means. This makes it possible to improve the processing efficiency of the sulfur removing means 4 .

The sulfur treatment tank 40, which is the sulfur removing means 4 in this embodiment, is not limited to being provided independently from the reaction section 3 as shown in FIG. For example, the sulfur removal means 4 (sulfur treatment tank 40 ) in this embodiment may be connected to the reaction section 3 .

FIG. 2 shows another aspect of the sulfur removal means 4 (sulfur treatment tank 40) in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the reaction section 3 and the sulfur removing means 4 and their surroundings in the processing apparatus 1A, and the illustration of the processing tank 2 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 2, as another aspect of the sulfur removal means 4, the reaction section 3 (first cell 31a in FIG. and to connect.
Here, pipes L6 and L7 equipped with valves B1 and B2 are for supplying and circulating the aqueous solution containing sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the sulfur treatment tank 40 to the reaction section 3 . It should be noted that power (not shown) such as a pump may be used for supplying and circulating the aqueous solution from the sulfur treatment tank 40 . Further, the supply/stop of the aqueous solution to the reaction section 3 may be controlled by means other than the valves B1 and B2.

Sulfur removal by the sulfur removal means 4 in FIG. 2 will be specifically described.
In the processing apparatus 1A, the first cell 31a side is used as the anode, and the valves B1 and B2 on the pipes L6 and L7 are closed while the electrode reaction in the reaction section 3 is proceeding with a stable output.
When the treatment in the treatment apparatus 1A is continued, sulfur accumulates on the electrode surface of the reaction section 3, and the electrode reaction efficiency (output) decreases or tends to decrease, treated water to the first cell 31a of the reaction section 3 The supply of W1 is stopped, and the treated water W1 in the first cell 31a is discharged. The supply and discharge of the treated water W1 are performed by providing valves on the connection pipe L2 and the discharge pipe L3, and by providing opening/closing mechanisms at the treated water inlet 32a and the treated water outlet 32b.
After the treated water W1 is discharged from the first cell 31a, the valve B1 is opened to supply an aqueous solution containing sulfur-oxidizing bacteria from the sulfur treatment tank 40 into the first cell 31a. As a result, sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode 33a is removed.
After the sulfur removal treatment is completed, the valve B2 is opened to return the aqueous solution containing the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria to the sulfur treatment tank 40, thereby making it possible to repeatedly use the sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.
After the treated water W1 is discharged from the first cell 31a, the valves B1 and B2 are opened to circulate the aqueous solution containing sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in the order of the sulfur treatment tank 40, the pipe L6, the first cell 31a, and the pipe L7. You may do so. This makes it possible to remove sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode without removing the electrode from the reaction section 3 .

FIG. 2 shows the connection between the sulfur treatment tank 40 and the first cell 31a, but it is not limited to this, and the connection between the sulfur treatment tank 40 and the second cell 31b is also possible. good. For example, even when the second cell 31b has an electrode with sulfur deposited on the surface thereof in the reaction section 3, the electrode replacement means 48, which will be described later, enables sulfur removal processing by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria.

When a sulfur treatment tank 40 containing an aqueous solution containing sulfur-oxidizing bacteria is used as the sulfur removal means 4 in this embodiment, the sulfur removed from the electrode surface becomes sulfate ions in the aqueous solution in the sulfur treatment tank 40. will exist in

[Sulfur-containing substance generator]
The sulfur component removed by the sulfur removal means 4 may be discharged outside the system, but preferably in a form that can be used.
For this reason, it is preferable to provide means for converting the removed sulfur component into a usable form for the sulfur removal means 4 of this embodiment. More specifically, for the sulfur removing means 4, a sulfur-containing sulfur-containing material comprising a sulfur recovery means for recovering the removed sulfur component and a refining means for refining the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur recovery means as a useful sulfur-containing substance. A substance generation device may be provided. In this embodiment, the sulfur recovery means and the refining means are provided independently of the treatment apparatus 1A as the sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus, but they may be provided as part of the treatment apparatus 1A.

FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a sulfur-containing substance generator in this embodiment. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the sulfur removing means 4 and the sulfur-containing substance generating device 5 in the processing apparatus 1A, and the illustration of the processing tank 2 and the reaction section 3 is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 3 , the sulfur-containing substance generating device 5 in this embodiment includes sulfur recovery means 50 and purification means 51 , which are connected to the sulfur removal means 4 .

The sulfur recovery means 50 is for recovering sulfur components removed by the sulfur removal means 4 . Moreover, as the sulfur recovery means 50, any device capable of recovering the sulfur component may be used, and the specific structure is not particularly limited.
As the sulfur recovery means 50, for example, as shown in FIG. 3A, one having a pipe L8 connected to the sulfur treatment tank 40 and a recovery tank 50a into which the aqueous solution in the sulfur treatment tank 40 is introduced via the pipe L8. mentioned. As a result, the aqueous solution containing sulfate ions in the sulfur treatment tank 40 can be recovered as a sulfur component.
Further, as another example of the sulfur recovery means 50, for example, as shown in FIG. As the recovery mechanism 50c for recovering the sulfate precipitated in the tank 40, a pipe L9 is provided at the bottom of the sulfur treatment tank 40. This makes it possible to separate and recover sulfur components in the form of sulfates from the aqueous solution in the sulfur treatment tank 40 . Note that the recovery mechanism 50c may have a structure for efficiently collecting the sulfate precipitated at the bottom of the sulfur treatment tank 40, in addition to the pipe L9. More specifically, a blade that rotates at the bottom of the sulfur treatment tank 40 to scrape off the sulfate, or a funnel-like structure is provided at the bottom of the sulfur treatment tank 40 .
Here, the substance added by the adding means 50b preferably contains metal ions that react with sulfate ions to form stable sulfates. Specific examples of such substances include lime, calcium carbonate, water-soluble metal oxides and metal hydroxides, as well as incineration ash and waste water containing metal ions. In particular, it is preferable to use those containing calcium as metal ions, such as lime and calcium carbonate. This results in the formation of calcium sulphate (gypsum), which is particularly useful among sulphates.

The refining means 51 is for refining the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur recovery means 50 as useful sulfur-containing substances.
The refining means 51 may be any means capable of refining the recovered sulfur component as a useful sulfur-containing substance, and the type and form of the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur recovery means 50, or the desired sulfur-containing substance A known purification technique can be used depending on the type and form of the product.
For example, when the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur recovery means 50 is an aqueous solution containing sulfate ions in the sulfur treatment tank 40, the purification means 51 may include sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, carriers, etc., as shown in FIG. 3A. A filtering device 51a for removing solids may be provided. This makes it possible to obtain an aqueous solution of sulfate ions of higher purity, that is, sulfuric acid, as a sulfur-containing substance after passing through the refining means 51 . At this time, the place where the refining means 51 (filtration device 51a) is provided is not particularly limited, but as shown in FIG. It becomes possible to store the contained substance, and the recovery tank 50a can also function as a supply source of sulfuric acid.
Further, when the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur recovery means 50 is a solid component such as a sulfate, as shown in FIG. (including classification, recrystallization, etc.), washing, and drying. This makes it possible to obtain a higher purity sulfate as a sulfur-containing substance after passing through the refining means 51 .

As described above, the treatment apparatus 1A in this embodiment uses a reducing substance in the water W to be treated as an electron donor, generates electricity through an electrochemical reaction (electrode reaction), and recovers and utilizes the energy. be. In general, when performing an electrochemical reaction, there is a problem that the efficiency of the electrochemical reaction is lowered due to movement of electrons to a place other than the place where the electrochemical reaction is actually performed (reaction section 3). Therefore, it is preferable that the processing apparatus 1A in this embodiment is insulated except for the portion where the electrochemical reaction is performed (the reaction portion 3). Specific examples of the insulating treatment include, for example, placing the processing tank 2 on top of an insulator, forming the outer wall or inner wall of the processing tank 2 with an insulator, or insulating the outer wall or inner wall of the processing tank 2. Examples include coating with a material. In addition, examples of the insulation treatment of the introduction pipe L1, the connection pipe L2, and the discharge pipe L3 include making each pipe made of an insulator, coating each pipe with an insulating material, and the like.

As described above, according to the treatment apparatus 1A and the treatment method using the treatment apparatus 1A of this embodiment, it is possible to carry out an electrode reaction in a series of treatment processes in the anaerobic treatment of the object to be treated. As a result, it is possible to efficiently generate power and recover and use energy without increasing the size of the facility. Moreover, it is possible to perform efficient desulfurization treatment without separately providing equipment for desulfurization treatment. Furthermore, by providing a means for removing sulfur generated on the electrode surface by the electrode reaction, it is possible to suppress the decrease in the efficiency of the electrode reaction and improve the efficiency of power generation and desulfurization treatment.

In addition, by recovering and refining the sulfur component removed from the electrode surface in the treatment device 1A, the sulfur-containing substance generating apparatus of the present embodiment recovers and purifies the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface, and the beneficial sulfur-containing substance (sulfuric acid, sulfate, etc.) can be obtained. This sulfur-containing substance can be used inside and outside the treatment apparatus 1A, and the sulfur-containing substance generating device of this embodiment can also be used as a supply source of the sulfur-containing substance.

[Second embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a processing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
The treatment apparatus 1B according to the second embodiment serves as a sulfur removing means 4 in place of the sulfur treatment tank 40 in the treatment apparatus 1A of the first embodiment, and switches the flow path of the treated water W1 to the reaction section 3. A switching unit 41 is provided. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

The processing apparatus 1B of the present embodiment is provided with a flow path switching unit 41 as the sulfur removal means 4, so that the cell of the reaction unit 3 to which the treated water W1 is supplied can be changed, and the electrode in the reaction unit 3 The anode and cathode can be reversed for 33a and electrode 33b. As a result, the anode-side electrode (electrode 33a) on which sulfur is deposited on the surface can be subjected to a reaction that oxidizes or reduces sulfur instead of the electrode reaction that generates sulfur based on formulas 1 and 2. This makes it possible to remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface.

An example of the flow path switching part 41 in the sulfur removal means 4 of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, the channel switching unit 41 includes pipes L10 and L11 and channel switching mechanisms 41a and 41b provided on the pipes L10 and L11.

The pipe L10 supplies the treated water W1 from the treatment tank 2 to the reaction section 3, and consists of a branch pipe L10a connected to the first cell 31a and a branch pipe L10b connected to the second cell 31b. Further, a channel switching mechanism 41a is provided on the pipe L10. In addition, the channel switching mechanism 41a may be any mechanism as long as it can switch the channel of the treated water W1 flowing through the pipe L10 to the branch pipe L10a or the branch pipe L10b. , the provision of what is called a split-flow type three-way valve at the intersection of the branch pipe L10a and the branch pipe L10b.

The pipe L11 discharges the treated water W2 that has reacted in the reaction section 3 to the outside of the cell, and consists of a branch pipe L11a connected to the first cell 31a and a branch pipe L11b connected to the second cell 31b. . Here, the pipe L11 may discharge the treated water W2 out of the system, or as shown in FIG. 4, may return the treated water W2 to the treatment tank 2 for circulation. Further, a channel switching mechanism 41b is provided on the pipe L11. The channel switching mechanism 41b may be any mechanism that can switch the channel of the treated water W2 discharged from the cell to the branch pipe L11a or the branch pipe L11b. , the provision of what is called a split-flow type three-way valve at the intersection of the branch pipe L11a and the branch pipe L11b.

When sulfur removal is performed using the channel switching unit 41 in this embodiment, the first cell 31a in the reaction unit 3 includes an electron acceptor supply port 34c and an electron acceptor discharge port 34d, and pipes connected to each of them. While L12 and L13 are provided, the second cell 31b is preferably provided with a treated water inlet 32c and a treated water outlet 32d. Then, the branch pipe L10a of the pipe L10 is connected to the treated water inlet 32a, the branch pipe L10b is connected to the treated water inlet 32c, the branch pipe L11a of the pipe L11 is connected to the treated water outlet 32b, and the branch pipe L11b is connected to the treated water outlet 32d. connect to. This facilitates switching of the flow path of the treated water W<b>1 by the flow path switching unit 41 , and enables smooth switching between the anode and the cathode in the reaction unit 3 .

A process for removing sulfur when using the flow path switching unit 41 as the sulfur removing means 4 in this embodiment will be specifically described.
In the processing apparatus 1B, the first cell 31a side is used as the anode, and while the electrode reaction in the reaction unit 3 is proceeding with a stable output, the branch pipes are switched by the channel switching mechanisms 41a and 41b on the pipes L10 and L11. Through L10a and the branch pipe L11a, a flow path of the treated water W1 to the first cell 31a side is formed.
When the treatment in the treatment apparatus 1B is continued, sulfur accumulates on the electrode surface of the reaction unit 3, and the electrode reaction efficiency (output) decreases or tends to decrease, the flow path switching mechanism 41a switches the treated water in the pipe L10. The flow path of W1 is switched from the branch pipe L10a to the branch pipe L10b, the supply of the treated water W1 to the first cell 31a of the reaction section 3 is stopped, and the treated water W1 is supplied to the second cell 31b. At this time, the channel switching mechanism 41b discharges the treated water W1 in the first cell 31a, and after the second cell 31b is filled with the treated water W1, switches the channel from the branch pipe L11a to the branch pipe L11b. . Thereby, a flow path of the treated water W1 to the second cell 31b side is formed via the branch pipe L10b and the branch pipe L11b.
Then, the electron acceptor is supplied to and discharged from the first cell 31a through the electron acceptor supply port 34c and the electron acceptor discharge port 34d. As a result, the electrode reaction proceeds with the anode and cathode reversed.
At this time, in the electrode 33a with sulfur deposited on the surface, the electrode reaction as the cathode based on Formula 3 and the electrode reaction based on the following reaction formula (Formula 5) proceed.

As shown in Equation 5, sulfur (S) deposited on the surface of the electrode 33a is reduced and removed from the surface of the electrode 33a as sulfur ions (S ²⁻ ).
Further, when an electron acceptor containing oxygen is used, a reaction based on the following reaction formula (Formula 6) also proceeds at the electrode 33a.

As shown in Equation 6, sulfur (S) deposited on the surface of the electrode 33a is oxidized by oxygen, gasified as sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ), and removed from the surface of the electrode 33a.
By using the channel switching unit 41, which is the sulfur removal means 4 in this embodiment, the reaction based on the formulas 5 and 6 proceeds through the above steps, and the sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode 33a is removed.
After the sulfur removal process is completed, the channel switching unit 41 returns the channel of the treated water W1 to the first cell 31a side, thereby switching the anode and the cathode in the reaction unit 3 again. As a result, sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode can be removed without removing the electrode from the reaction section 3, and processing in the reaction section 3 can be performed continuously.

Further, when performing the above-described sulfur removal step, the switching of the flow path by the flow path switching unit 41 may be manually performed by the operator, or may be automatically controlled based on a program or the like. In view of work efficiency, etc., it is preferable that the flow path switching unit 41 in this embodiment includes a control unit 42 that controls supply/stop of the treated water W1 to the reaction unit 3 .
The control unit 42 in this embodiment controls the opening and closing operations of the channel switching mechanisms 41a and 41b. The control unit 42 also includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data relating to the reaction efficiency (output) of the electrode reaction in the reaction unit 3, and an operation that calculates the execution timing of the sulfur removal process based on the output data acquired by the data acquisition unit. It is more preferable to have a part. As a result, the control of the flow path switching unit 41 (the opening and closing operations of the flow path switching mechanisms 41a and 41b) related to sulfur removal can be performed with higher accuracy and at suitable timing.

In addition, regarding the sulfur components (sulfide ions, sulfur dioxide, etc.) removed from the electrode surface by the sulfur removal means 4 (flow path switching unit 41) of this embodiment, the above-described sulfur recovery means 50 and purification means 51 are provided. It can be utilized as a useful sulfur-containing substance by the sulfur-containing substance generator 5 .
In the sulfur removal means 4 (channel switching unit 41) of the present embodiment, the sulfur component removed from the electrode surface is contained in the first cell 31a or the second cell 31b when the electron acceptor is being supplied. will exist.
Therefore, as an example of the sulfur recovery means 50 provided for the processing apparatus 1B of this embodiment, the sulfur component is recovered via the electron acceptor discharge port 34b and the pipe L4, or the electron acceptor discharge port 34d and the pipe L13. Collecting to the tank 50a is mentioned.
At this time, a catalyst may be used as the refining means 51, and a reaction of converting sulfur dioxide (SO ₂ ), which is the recovered sulfur component, into sulfuric acid may proceed in the recovery tank 50a. Another example of the refining means 51 is solid-liquid separation of the sulfur component in the recovery tank 50a. At this time, the sulfur component floating on the liquid surface may be recovered, or the sulfur component that has settled in the tank may be recovered.
Further, as another example of the sulfur recovery means 50 provided for the processing apparatus 1B of this embodiment, the addition means 50b includes the electron acceptor supply port 34a and the pipe L5, or the electron acceptor supply port 34c and the pipe L12. via the supply of substances that react with sulfur components such as sulfide ions and sulfur dioxide to form salts. Specific examples of such substances include lime, calcium carbonate, water-soluble metal oxides and metal hydroxides, as well as incineration ash and waste water containing metal ions. In particular, it is preferable to use those containing calcium as metal ions, such as lime and calcium carbonate. This results in the formation of calcium sulfite and the like, which are highly beneficial as reducing agents, upon reaction with sulfur dioxide.

As described above, in the treatment apparatus 1B and the treatment method using the treatment apparatus 1B in this embodiment, the anode and the cathode in the reaction section can be switched by switching the flow path of the treated water supplied to the reaction section 3. . At this time, while the electrode reaction in the reaction section 3 is progressing, the reaction for removing the sulfur component from the electrode having the sulfur component deposited on the surface thereof can also proceed at the same time. As a result, sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode can be removed without removing the electrode from the reaction section 3, and processing in the reaction section 3 can be performed continuously.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention.
A treatment apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment is a treatment apparatus comprising a treatment tank 2, a reaction section 3, and a sulfur removal means 4. As shown in FIG. As the removing means 4, a channel switching unit 43 for switching the channel of the treated water W1 to be supplied to the first cells 31a and 31c of the reaction units 3A and 3B, and the channel switching unit 43 interlocked with each A channel switching unit 44 for switching the channels of electron acceptors supplied to the first cells 31a and 31c of the reaction units 3A and 3B, and the electron acceptors in the second cells 31b and 31d of the reaction units 3A and 3B. A circulation channel 45 is provided which connects the supply port 34a and the electron acceptor discharge port 34b and circulates the electron acceptor. The structure of the reaction sections 3A and 3B is the same as that of the reaction section 3 in the first embodiment, and the description of the same structure as in the first embodiment is omitted.

The processing apparatus 1C of this embodiment is provided with a plurality of reaction units 3A and 3B, switches the flow paths of the treated water W1 and the electron acceptor supplied to the first cells 31a and 31c in the reaction units 3A and 3B, and By circulating the electron acceptor supplied to the second cells 31b and 31d in the reaction parts 3A and 3B, the reaction part (reaction part 3A in FIG. 5) that advances the electrode reaction and the sulfur component deposited on the electrode is removed. The reaction section to be removed (reaction section 3B in FIG. 5) can be operated in parallel. This makes it possible to effectively remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface without lowering the electrode reaction efficiency. In addition, since the electron acceptors supplied to the second cells 31b and 31d of the reaction sections 3A and 3B can be circulated and used, there is an effect that the cost of the electron acceptors can be reduced.

Based on FIG. 5, an example of the channel switching units 43 and 44 and the circulation channel 45 in the sulfur removal means 4 of this embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 5, the channel switching unit 43 includes a pipe L14 for supplying the treated water W1 from the treatment tank 2 to the first cells 31a and 31c of the reaction units 3A and 3B, and a pipe L14 on the pipe L14. The thing which consists of the provided flow-path switching mechanism 43a is mentioned.
Further, as the channel switching unit 44, a pipe L15 for supplying the electron acceptor in the electron acceptor supply tank 44b to the first cells 31a and 31c of the reaction units 3A and 3B, and a pipe L15 provided on the pipe L15. and a channel switching mechanism 44a. The electron acceptor accommodated in the electron acceptor supply tank 44b is not particularly limited, but from the standpoint of ease of preparation and cost associated with acquisition, water aerated with air may be used.
As the channel switching mechanisms 43a and 44a, as shown in FIG. 5, in addition to using a branch type three-way valve, a valve may be provided in each pipe.

As the circulation flow path 45, the electron acceptor supply port 34a and the electron acceptor discharge port 34b in the second cells 31b and 31d of the reaction sections 3A and 3B are connected, and It is for circulating the electron acceptor. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a pipe L16a for supplying the electron acceptor to the second cell 31b of the reaction section 3A, and a pipe L16b for discharging the electron acceptor after the reaction in the second cell 31b of the reaction section 3A. , a pipe L16c for supplying the electron acceptor after reaction in the reaction portion 3A to the second cell 31d of the reaction portion 3B, and a pipe L16d for discharging the electron acceptor after reaction in the second cell 31d of the reaction portion 3B. , connecting the pipes L16b and L16c, and connecting the pipes L16d and L16a to form the circulation flow path 45 .

The treated water W2 that has reacted in the first cells 31a and 31c of the reaction units 3A and 3B is discharged outside the cells through treated water outlets and pipes L17 and L18 provided in the respective cells 31a and 31c. be. Here, as shown in FIG. 5, the pipes L17 and L18 may discharge the treated water W2 out of the system, or may return the treated water W2 to the treatment tank 2 for circulation.
In order not to inhibit the reaction in the processing tank 2, it is preferable that the treated water W2 returned to the processing tank 2 does not contain the electron acceptor supplied from the electron acceptor supply tank 44b.
Therefore, the flow path of the treated water W2 may be switched to the outside of the system or to the treatment tank 2. FIG. For example, a channel switching mechanism is provided on the pipes L17 and L18, two pipes are connected to the respective treated water outlets, and the treated water W2 containing the electron acceptors supplied from the electron acceptor supply tank 44b is used. to the outside of the system, and a pipe for returning the other treated water W2 to the treatment tank 2.

A process for removing sulfur when the flow path switching units 43 and 44 and the circulation flow path 45 are used as the sulfur removal means 4 in this embodiment will be specifically described.
In the processing apparatus 1C, the first cell 31a side of the reaction section 3A is used as an anode, and while the electrode reaction of the reaction section 3A is progressing with a stable output, the flow path switching mechanism 43a on the pipe L14 switches the first forming a flow path for the treated water W1 to the side of the cell 31a. On the other hand, the channel switching unit 44 forms a channel for supplying the electron acceptor in the electron acceptor supply tank 44b to the first cell 31c of the reaction unit 3B. At this time, the electron acceptor is supplied from the pipe L16a to the second cell 31b of the reaction part 3A, and the electron acceptor after the reaction is supplied to the second cell 31b of the reaction part 3B via the pipe L16b and the pipe L16c. supplied into the cell 31d.
At this time, in the reaction section 3A, an electrode reaction progresses with the electrode 33a as the anode and the electrode 33b as the cathode. On the other hand, in the reaction section 3B, the second cell 31d is supplied with the electron acceptor after the reaction, that is, the highly reducing substance, and the first cell 31c is supplied with the electron acceptor in the electron acceptor supply tank 44b. body supplied. Therefore, in the reaction section 3B, an electrode reaction proceeds with the electrode 33c as the cathode and the electrode 33d as the anode.
Then, when the processing in the processing apparatus 1C is continued, sulfur accumulates on the surface of the electrode (electrode 33a) of the reaction section 3A, and the electrode reaction efficiency (output) decreases or tends to decrease, the channel switching mechanism 43a The flow path of the treated water W1 is switched from the first cell 31a on the side of the reaction section 3A to the first cell 31c on the side of the reaction section 3B, and the supply of the treated water W1 to the first cell 31a of the reaction section 3A is stopped. Then, the treated water W1 is supplied to the first cell 31c of the reaction section 3B. At this time, the channel switching mechanism 44a is also switched so that the electron acceptor from the electron acceptor supply tank 44b is supplied to the first cell 31a of the reaction section 3A. At this time, a highly reducing substance (electron acceptor after reaction) is supplied to the second cell 31b. As a result, in the reaction section 3A, the reaction proceeds with the electrode 33a as the cathode and the electrode 33b as the anode, and the sulfur component deposited on the surface of the electrode 33a is removed based on Equations (5) and (6).

A reservoir for storing the electron acceptor or the reacted electron acceptor may be provided on the circulation channel 45 . This facilitates supply of an electron acceptor (or an electron acceptor after reaction) suitable for the second cell 31b in accordance with the switching of the flow paths of the treated water W1 and the electron acceptor related to the first cells 31a and 31c. It becomes possible to go to

Moreover, in order to utilize the sulfur component removed by the sulfur removing means 4 of the present embodiment as a sulfur-containing substance, it is preferable to use the sulfur-containing substance generator 5 and utilize it as a useful sulfur-containing substance. The sulfur component removed by the sulfur removal means 4 of this embodiment is recovered as described in the second embodiment. Therefore, the sulfur-containing substance generator 5 of this embodiment can have the same configuration as that described in the second embodiment.

As described above, the treatment apparatus 1C and the treatment method using the treatment apparatus 1C in this embodiment include providing a plurality of reaction units, switching the flow paths of the treated water and the electron acceptor supplied to the reaction units, and By recycling the body, the anode and cathode in the reaction section can be exchanged. As a result, it is possible to treat in parallel the reaction section that advances the electrode reaction and the reaction section that advances the reaction for removing the sulfur component from the electrode having the sulfur component deposited on the surface. This makes it possible to remove sulfur accumulated on the surface of the electrode without removing the electrode from the reaction section, and to perform the treatment in the reaction section continuously.

[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
A processing apparatus 1D according to the fourth embodiment is a processing apparatus including a processing tank 2, a reaction section 3, and a sulfur removing means 4, and is the processing apparatus 1C according to the third embodiment, in which one reaction section 3 is provided. , and a control unit 46 for the flow path switching units 43 and 44 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 6, the processing apparatus 1D in the present embodiment is configured to switch the flow path of the treated water W1 supplied to the first cell 31a of the reaction section 3 as the sulfur removal means 4 in the reaction section 3. A switching unit 43 and a channel switching unit 44 for switching the channel of the electron acceptor to be supplied to the first cell 31a of the reaction unit 3 in conjunction with the channel switching unit 43 to switch the supply/stop of the treated water W1. The second cell 31b of the reaction unit 3 is provided with storage tanks 47a and 47b for storing the electron acceptor or the electron acceptor after the reaction. The description of the same configuration as that of the third embodiment will be omitted.

In the processing apparatus 1D of this embodiment, in one reaction unit 3 having two flow path switching units, the supply and stop of the treated water W1 is performed by controlling the flow path switching unit, thereby advancing the electrode reaction. and the reaction section for removing the sulfur component deposited on the electrode can be operated with a time lag. This makes it possible to effectively remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface without lowering the electrode reaction efficiency.

The flow path switching units 43 and 44 can use the structure described in the above third embodiment. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, since there is no need to provide a branch in the pipe L14 and the pipe L15, the flow path switching mechanisms 43a and 44a may be provided with valves in each pipe. mentioned.

The control unit 46 controls the opening and closing operations of the channel switching mechanisms 43 a and 44 a in the channel switching units 43 and 44 .
As an example of the control by the control unit 46 in this embodiment, during the daytime when the anaerobic treatment by the treatment tank 2 is actively performed and the amount of treated water W1 increases, power generation by electrode reaction and desulfurization treatment are performed. It is preferable to switch the flow path so as to actively perform the switching. That is, the flow path switching units 43 and 44 are controlled so that the treated water W1 from the treatment tank 2 is supplied to the first cell 31a and an electrode reaction is performed with the electrode 33a as the anode and the electrode 33b as the cathode. be done. At this time, it is preferable to store the reacted electron acceptor discharged from the pipe L16b of the second cell 31b in the storage tank 47a.
On the other hand, during a period of time when the amount of treated water W1 from the treatment tank 2 is reduced, such as at night, it is preferable to switch the flow path so as to mainly remove the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface. That is, the flow switching units 43 and 44 are controlled so that the treated water W1 from the treatment tank 2 is stopped and the electron acceptor from the electron acceptor supply tank 44b is supplied to the first cell 31a. . At the same time, by supplying the post-reacted electron acceptor stored in the storage tank 47a to the second cell 31b through the pipe L16a, the electrode reaction proceeds with the electrode 33a as the cathode and the electrode 33b as the anode. This makes it possible to remove the sulfur component deposited on the surface of the electrode (electrode 33a). At this time, the electron acceptor discharged from the pipe L16b of the second cell 31b may be stored in the storage tank 47b and reused when the electrode reaction is performed again using the electrode 33a as the anode.
The control unit 46 also includes a data acquisition unit that acquires data related to the reaction efficiency (output) of the electrode reaction in the reaction unit 3, and an operation that calculates the execution timing of the sulfur removal process based on the output data acquired by the data acquisition unit. It is more preferable to have a part. As a result, the control of the channel switching units 43 and 44 (opening/closing operations of the channel switching mechanisms 43a and 44a) relating to sulfur removal can be performed with higher accuracy and at suitable timing.

As described above, the treatment apparatus 1D and the treatment method using the treatment apparatus 1D according to the present embodiment are such that, in one reaction section, switching of the flow paths of the treated water and the electron acceptor supplied to the reaction section is Anode and cathode can be exchanged by providing a control section for controlling supply/stop and providing a time lag between the supply of treated water and the supply of electron acceptors to the reaction section. This makes it possible to remove sulfur accumulated on the surface of the electrode without removing the electrode from the reaction section, and to perform the treatment in the reaction section continuously. In addition, by providing a control unit, according to the time fluctuation of the amount of treated water W1, the time period for mainly performing power generation and desulfurization treatment and the time period for mainly removing sulfur components deposited on the electrode surface can be divided. , it becomes possible to perform control that enables efficient operation of the processing apparatus as a whole.

[Fifth embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a processing apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
A processing apparatus 1E according to the fifth embodiment is a processing apparatus comprising a processing tank 2, a reaction section 3, and a sulfur removing means 4, and the electrodes 33a and 33b in the reaction section 3 are exchanged as the sulfur removing means 4. An electrode replacement means 48 is provided. The description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted.

As described above, the sulfur removal means 4 in the treatment apparatus according to the present invention may replace the anode and the cathode in the reaction section by switching the flow path. , an electrode replacement means 48 for directly replacing the electrode arrangement in the reaction section 3 may be provided. Thereby, the anode and the cathode can be easily changed without increasing the number of flow paths in the processing apparatus 1E.
By using the sulfur removal means 4 (electrode replacement means 48) of this embodiment, the electrode on which the sulfur component is deposited by using it on the anode side is used on the cathode side. components can be removed.
At this time, as the electrode replacement means 48, the electrodes 33a and 33b are arranged in the housing with their surfaces exposed, and provided in the reaction section 3 as an electrode unit that can be taken out from the reaction section 3, and this electrode unit is taken out. For example, it can be installed again by rotating it half a turn. As a result, the arrangement of the electrodes 33a and 33b can be easily exchanged, and the electrodes 33a and 33b can be easily removed from the reaction section 3 during maintenance, thereby facilitating maintenance work.

As described above, in the processing apparatus 1E and the processing method using the processing apparatus 1E in this embodiment, the anode and cathode in the reaction section can be switched by switching the electrode arrangement. As a result, the electrode reaction on the anode side proceeds so that the electrode having the sulfur component deposited on the surface can be easily subjected to the reaction on the cathode side. This makes it possible to remove sulfur deposited on the surface of the electrode and to perform the treatment in the reaction section continuously.

The treatment apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to anaerobic treatment of liquid components such as the water W to be treated in the treatment tank 2 . Moreover, the treated water supplied to the reaction section 3 is not limited to the one discharged directly from the treatment tank 2 .
In the following, another embodiment of the processing apparatus of the present invention is exemplified in which the object to be processed is composed of a solid component such as biomass.

[Sixth embodiment]
FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory diagram showing a processing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 8, the treatment apparatus 1F according to the sixth embodiment comprises a solid-liquid separation section 6 between the treatment tank 2 and the reaction section 3, and further comprises sulfur removal means 4. As shown in FIG. Although FIG. 8 shows that the sulfur removal means 4 uses the sulfur treatment tank 40, it is not limited to this, and the treatment apparatus 1F in this embodiment includes the sulfur removal means 4 can be selected as appropriate.
The processing apparatus 1F also includes an introduction pipe L20 for introducing the object S to be processed into the processing tank 2, a connection pipe L21 connecting the processing tank 2 and the solid-liquid separation unit 6, and treated water W4 separated by the solid-liquid separation unit 6. into the reaction unit 3, a discharge pipe L23 for discharging the solid matter separated by the solid-liquid separation unit 6 to the outside of the system, and a discharge pipe L24 for discharging the treated water W2 from the reaction unit 3 to the outside of the system. ing.

In the processing apparatus 1F shown in FIG. 8, the object S to be processed is subjected to anaerobic processing in the processing tank 2, and the effluent (processed liquid W3) after the anaerobic processing in the solid-liquid separation section 6 is converted into the processed water W4 ( Filtrate) and solids are separated, and treated water W4 is introduced into the reaction section 3 . As a result, by utilizing the effluent after the anaerobic treatment of the object S to be treated, more efficient energy recovery/utilization or desulfurization treatment becomes possible.
The configuration of the processing device 1F will be described below.

(Treatment tank)
The treatment tank 2 in this embodiment performs anaerobic treatment on solid components such as biomass.
As the anaerobic treatment performed in the treatment tank 2 in this embodiment, methane fermentation that produces methane is particularly preferable from the viewpoint of treatment cost and usefulness of the generated gas. Therefore, the processing tank 2 preferably has a structure that functions as digestion equipment for digesting the object S to be processed. More specifically, the processing tank 2 preferably has a structure known as a digestion tank, and the specific structure of the digestion tank is not particularly limited.

In the treatment tank 2, especially when methane fermentation is performed among anaerobic treatments, in addition to methane, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, ammonia, etc. are generated in the effluent (treated liquid W3) after treating the object S to be treated. do. These products correspond to reducing substances in the present invention.

The object S to be treated that has been treated in the treatment tank 2 becomes an effluent (treatment liquid W3) containing a reducing substance, and is introduced into the solid-liquid separation section 6 via the connecting pipe L2.

(Solid-liquid separator)
The solid-liquid separation unit 6 separates the treatment liquid W3 introduced from the treatment tank 2 into solids and treated water W4.
Here, the treated liquid W3 to be separated and treated in the solid-liquid separation unit 6 is the effluent after the anaerobic treatment in the treatment tank 2, and is a solid-liquid mixture (sludge) containing muddy matter such as excess sludge. . Further, the treated liquid W3 contains reducing substances produced by methane fermentation.
Therefore, the treatment liquid W3 is solid-liquid separated in the solid-liquid separation unit 6, and the treatment water W4 containing the reducing substance is recovered and introduced into the subsequent reaction unit 3, so that the reducing substance is used as an electron donor. It becomes possible to proceed the reaction.

The solid-liquid separation unit 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can separate the solids contained in the treated liquid W3 and the treated water W4. For example, sedimentation separation tanks such as coagulation sedimentation tanks and sedimentation tanks, centrifugal separation tanks equipped with centrifuges, belt press dehydrators and screw press dehydrators equipped with pressurized filtration equipment, etc. are mentioned.

The treated water W4 separated by the solid-liquid separation section 6 is introduced into the reaction section 3 via the introduction pipe L22 as treated water containing reducing substances (corresponding to treated water W1). On the other hand, the solid matter separated by the solid-liquid separation unit 6 is discharged outside the system via the discharge pipe L23. At this time, treatment equipment for treating the solid matter may be provided after the discharge pipe L23.

Then, in the reaction unit 3 into which the treated water W4 is introduced, as in the case of using the treated water W1 described above, power is generated using the reducing substances in the treated water W4 as electron donors, and the By using a sulfur-containing compound such as hydrogen sulfide among reducing substances as an electron donor, it is also possible to perform desulfurization treatment.

As described above, according to the treatment apparatus 1F of the present embodiment and the treatment method using the treatment apparatus 1F, the effluent after the anaerobic treatment of the object to be treated is utilized, and even in the anaerobic treatment of the object to be treated consisting of solid components, Efficient recovery and utilization of energy from power generation and desulfurization treatment become possible. In particular, by enabling the electrode reaction using the reducing substances contained in the filtrate obtained by solid-liquid separation of the effluent after anaerobic treatment, it is possible to inhibit mass transfer by microorganisms used in anaerobic treatment and reduce the metabolic rate of microorganisms. There is no rate-determining step based on this, and it is possible to improve power generation efficiency and desulfurization treatment efficiency. In addition, the equipment can be made smaller than power generation by microbial fuel cells. Furthermore, it is possible to perform efficient desulfurization treatment without separately providing equipment for desulfurization treatment.

In addition, the embodiment mentioned above shows an example of a processing apparatus, a processing method, and a sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus. The treatment apparatus, treatment method, and sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and within the scope of not changing the gist of the claims, the treatment apparatus and treatment according to the above-described embodiments. Variations may be made in the method as well as the sulfur containing material generator.

For example, the processing apparatus in this embodiment may be provided with an insulation mechanism. The insulation mechanism is not particularly limited as long as it can insulate the treated water (treated water W2) other than the treated water W1 that reacts in the reaction section 3 .
Examples of insulating means by the insulating mechanism include elimination of electrical contact (liquid junction) between the electrode 33a of the reaction section 3 and the treated water W2, or shortening of the liquid junction time. Examples of such means for eliminating the liquid junction or shortening the liquid junction time include means for making the flow of the treated water W2 discontinuous (intermittent), means for interposing an insulator such as air in the treated water W2, Alternatively, a combination of these means may be used. This prevents the electrons generated in the reaction section 3 from flowing to a place other than between the electrodes 33a and 33b, thereby improving the electrode reaction efficiency.
In addition, the processing apparatus in this embodiment may also perform insulation related to structures (processing tanks and pipes) constituting the processing apparatus as shown in the first embodiment. As a result, a further insulating effect can be obtained, and the electrode reaction efficiency in the reaction section 3 can be improved.

Further, for example, the processing apparatus in this embodiment may be configured by omitting a part of the structure to further simplify the apparatus configuration.
Optional structures include, for example, the ion exchanger 35 . This enables simplification of the reaction section 3 and facilitates maintenance work.
Another example of an omissible structure is an electron acceptor supply port 34a and an electron acceptor outlet 34b in the second cell 31b. This makes it possible to further simplify the reaction section 3 . At this time, one surface of the electrode 33b is in contact with the treated water W1 or the ion exchanger 35, and the other surface is entirely in direct contact with the outside air (air). Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a breathable material that can be easily replaced or washed on the surface of the electrode 33b on the outside air side. This can prevent solid impurities such as dust from adhering to the surface of the electrode 33b.

Further, for example, the treatment apparatus in this embodiment may be configured by combining a plurality of sulfur removing means 4 shown in each embodiment. By combining a plurality of sulfur removal means 4, the sulfur component deposited on the electrode surface can be reliably removed, and the electrode reaction efficiency can be improved. It is also possible to increase the amount of useful sulfur-containing material obtained in the sulfur-containing material generator connected to the processing equipment.

The treatment apparatus, treatment method, and sulfur-containing substance generation apparatus of the present invention are used for treatment of water to be treated. In particular, it is suitably used in a process in which reducing substances are generated by treating the water to be treated.

1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, 1E, 1F treatment apparatus, 2 treatment tank, 3, 3A, 3B reaction section, 31a, 31c first cell, 31b, 31d second cell, 32a, 32c treated water inlet, 32b, 32d treated water outlet, 33a to 33d electrodes, 34a, 34c electron acceptor supply port, 34b, 34d electron acceptor outlet, 35 ion exchanger, 4 sulfur removal means, 40 sulfur treatment tank, 41, 43, 44 channel switching unit, 41a, 41b, 43a, 44a channel switching mechanism, 42, 46 control unit, 44b electron acceptor supply tank, 45 circulation channel, 47a, 47b storage tank, 48 electrode replacement means, 5 containing sulfur Substance generator 50 Sulfur recovery means 50a Recovery tank 50b Addition means 50c Recovery mechanism 51 Purification means 51a Filtration device 51b Purification operation device 6 Solid-liquid separation unit B1, B2 Valves L1, L20 Introduction Pipes L2, L21 Connection pipes L3, L23 Discharge pipes L4 to L18 Pipes L10a, L10b, L11a, L11b Branch pipes S Object to be treated W Water to be treated W1 to W4 Treated water (treated liquid)

Claims (7)

A treatment apparatus for anaerobic treatment of an object to be treated,
a reaction unit that contacts the electrode with the treated water after the object to be treated has been anaerobicly treated to generate power and/or remove sulfur components in the treated water;
and sulfur removal means for removing sulfur components deposited on the electrode surface of the reaction section. 2. The treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sulfur removing means uses sulfur-oxidizing bacteria. 2. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sulfur removing means comprises a channel switching unit for switching a channel of treated water to said reaction unit. 4. The processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the flow path switching section includes a control section for controlling supply/stop of treated water to the reaction section. 5. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising electrode replacement means for replacing the electrode arrangement of said reaction section. A treatment method for anaerobic treatment of an object to be treated,
A reaction step of contacting an electrode with the treated water after the object to be treated has been anaerobicly treated, and performing an electrode reaction to generate power and/or remove sulfur components in the treated water;
and a sulfur removal step of removing sulfur components deposited on the surface of the electrode used in the reaction step. A sulfur-containing substance generating device connected to a processing device that performs anaerobic treatment of an object to be processed,
The treatment apparatus includes a reaction section for generating power and/or removing sulfur components in the treated water by bringing the electrode into contact with the treated water after the object to be treated has been anaerobically treated, and sulfur accumulated on the electrode surface of the reaction section. sulfur removal means for removing the component,
sulfur component recovery means for recovering sulfur components removed by the sulfur removal means;
and refining means for refining the sulfur component recovered by the sulfur component recovery means as a sulfur-containing substance.

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